What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Finding out you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) often feels like being handed a puzzle with missing pieces. You might be dealing with stubborn acne, irregular periods, or weight that refuses to change, regardless of how hard you try.

Affecting nearly 1 in 10 women worldwide, PCOS is not a "disease" you catch, nor does it mean your ovaries are covered in dangerous tumours. It simply means your endocrine system and ovaries are out of sync. 

What Is PCOS Exactly?

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. In a typical cycle, your ovaries release one egg every month (ovulation).

In women with PCOS:

1. High Androgens: The ovaries produce higher-than-normal levels of "male hormones" (androgens like testosterone).

2. No Ovulation: These high hormone levels prevent the egg from maturing or being released.

3. Cysts: Because the eggs are never released, they remain in the ovaries as tiny, fluid-filled sacs. On an ultrasound, these look like a "string of pearls." These are not "cysts" in the traditional sense; they are simply follicles that got stuck.

The 3 Main Signs of PCOS (Rotterdam Criteria)

Doctors generally diagnose PCOS if you meet at least two of these three criteria:

• Irregular Periods: Cycles longer than 35 days, or missing periods entirely.

• Clinical/Biochemical Androgens: Signs like cystic acne, excess facial hair (hirsutism), or thinning scalp hair.

• Polycystic Ovaries: Confirmed via a pelvic ultrasound.

PCOD vs PCOS: What is the Difference?

If you search online, you will find articles claiming PCOD is "mild" and PCOS is "severe." This is medically incorrect.

The Truth: PCOD and PCOS are the exact same condition.

• PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease): This is an older term that was commonly used in the past (and is still used often in India).

• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): This is the modern, medically accurate name used globally.

Doctors switched to "Syndrome" because the condition affects your whole body (metabolism, heart, skin), not just your ovaries. 

If you’ve recently received a report using either term and feel confused by the jargon, it's often helpful to consult a gynaecologist who can explain what the findings mean for your specific health profile and what’s the way further.

What Are the Common Symptoms of PCOS?

Since hormones control so much, what is PCOD and PCOS doing to the rest of your body?

• Weight Gain: Especially around the belly. Up to 80% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, making it harder to burn fat.

• Skin Issues: Deep, painful acne along the jawline or dark, velvety patches on the neck (Acanthosis Nigricans).

• Mood Changes: Anxiety and stress are common due to hormonal fluctuations.

• Fertility Struggles: Since you aren't releasing an egg regularly, getting pregnant can be a bit trickier. However, there are good chances of pregnancy with PCOS, its just that it may take a bit longer to conceive.

How To Manage PCOS?

There is no cure, but PCOS is highly treatable. You can live a completely normal, healthy life with the right management.

1. Lifestyle First: This is the most efficient medicine. Losing just 5% to 10% of body weight can restore regular periods and improve insulin resistance significantly.

2. Diet: Focus on a Low Glycemic Index (GI) diet. Eat more protein and fibre (dal, veggies) and less sugar and refined carbs (maid, white rice).

3. Medication:

   • Birth Control Pills: To regulate periods and lower male hormones.

   • Metformin: To manage insulin levels and help with weight loss.

   • Anti-Androgens: To reduce acne and facial hair.

Conclusion

Don't let the name scare you. Whether you call it PCOD or PCOS, it is simply a signal that your body needs a different kind of care. It is not a life sentence of infertility or illness.

The confusion about PCOD vs PCOS stops here. They are the same, and they are both manageable.

Ready to take control of your hormones?

You don't have to navigate diet charts and medications alone. Chat with a gynaecologist at Pinky Promise today. We create personalised PCOS management plans that fit your life, helping you feel like yourself again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Can I get pregnant if I have PCOD/PCOS?

Yes! Having PCOS does not mean you are infertile; it just means you are sub-fertile (it might take longer). With lifestyle changes or simple ovulation medication, most women with PCOS conceive successfully.

Q. What does PCOS do to a woman?

PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance that disrupts the ovaries' ability to release eggs. This can lead to irregular cycles, metabolic issues like insulin resistance, and physical changes such as acne, weight gain, and excess body hair.

Q. What are the 5 symptoms of PCOS? 

The five most common symptoms include irregular or missed periods, stubborn cystic acne (especially along the jawline), thinning hair on the scalp, excess facial or body hair (hirsutism), and unexplained weight gain around the abdomen.

Q. How do I know I have PCOS? 

You are generally diagnosed with PCOS if you meet two of three criteria: irregular periods, clinical signs of high androgens (like acne or facial hair), or "cysts" (stuck follicles) visible on a pelvic ultrasound.